Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Sorry for the missed day in posting, yesterday we went to a village out of the city so I didn´t have access to internet.
So after my last post, we made our way to one of the markets in downtown Quito where I was able to buy some really cool handmade items.
Yesterday was by far, the best day here so far. We went to a town about an hour from where we are staying called Muchachi to a church plant out there to help with the vacation bible school. When we first got there I didn´t have high expectations for how the day was going to turn out. I spend the first hour or so sitting the back while some locals talked, and for a couple of songs members from our group helped with motions. After all that we made our way to a park that was a 5 minute walk from the church with a four year old boy in arm. When we got there we began to give away the little bottles of bubbles that I brought with me- such simple things bring such joy to these kids, it´s incredible. After giving away all the bubbles we continued to play with the kids for about an hour and a half. In which time 3 adorable five year old girls became incredibly attached to me and weren´t happy unless I was holding them, they were sitting on my leg or on my shoulders. While extremely exhausting it was such a blessing to be able to show these children love. We then made our way back to the church, of course, not without one of the three girls on my shoulders. On the way back one of the other girls ran into one of the many tiny stores that adorn most streets and gave Heather and I each a lolipop- sometimes the smallest gestures mean the most, especially when from people who have very little. When we got back to the church we gave out toys to the children that we had brought with us, little toy cars for the boys and little stuffed animals for the girls. Once again, I was amazed at how capivated these kids got by the smallest things. After this our group got called to the back of the churchso we could go eat lunch, before leaving I ran upfront to say goodbye to the kids I had spent time with.
We then all made our way to a small detached building of the church where we were fed the best meal we´ve had here so far- a sort of mexican fried rice and chicken. A couple of us voiced our concerns and somewhat guilt that we were eating so well while being unsure of whether some of the children would get a hot meal when they got home. Cecilia, who grew up here(ecuador) but now lives in the U.S. assured us that it is just the hospitality here- that whenever there are visitors they always provide the best that they possibly can for the. After lunch we caught a bus back to Quito- but on our way to the bus stop we saw two of the three little girls standing in front of there house, they ran out to me and hugged my leg, I told them goodbye one more time and we were on our way. Once back in Quito we went to a supermarket so some of us could get some food to bring back to the US (yes Jo, I got your Inca Cola!). After we made our way back to the house and relaxed for the rest of the day.
Today we went to Dulce Refugio and distributed a lot of the clothing that we had brought down with us. It was a joy to hand out clothes to the kids. Some who needed it more than others. It´s acts like this that make you realize the excess of our lives in America. After this we went to the park where a lot of the kids already were, we then gave away candy to each kid. Which started off organized, then turned into the kids surrounding me begging for more. I eventually had to say no mas, no mas (no more) to the kids even though I still had some left. After that we were served our last meal at the church, because sadly, it was our last day of work while down here.
At first I was kind of disappointed at the fact that we were only going to be working for 4 days while down here. But upon giving all of the donations away, I was beyond content with what we accomplished. So much good will happen in the lives of these kids with the supplies that we were able to bring down with us.
Sorry for such a long post, I have to get going, the group is waiting!
With love,
Nick Martino
So after my last post, we made our way to one of the markets in downtown Quito where I was able to buy some really cool handmade items.
Yesterday was by far, the best day here so far. We went to a town about an hour from where we are staying called Muchachi to a church plant out there to help with the vacation bible school. When we first got there I didn´t have high expectations for how the day was going to turn out. I spend the first hour or so sitting the back while some locals talked, and for a couple of songs members from our group helped with motions. After all that we made our way to a park that was a 5 minute walk from the church with a four year old boy in arm. When we got there we began to give away the little bottles of bubbles that I brought with me- such simple things bring such joy to these kids, it´s incredible. After giving away all the bubbles we continued to play with the kids for about an hour and a half. In which time 3 adorable five year old girls became incredibly attached to me and weren´t happy unless I was holding them, they were sitting on my leg or on my shoulders. While extremely exhausting it was such a blessing to be able to show these children love. We then made our way back to the church, of course, not without one of the three girls on my shoulders. On the way back one of the other girls ran into one of the many tiny stores that adorn most streets and gave Heather and I each a lolipop- sometimes the smallest gestures mean the most, especially when from people who have very little. When we got back to the church we gave out toys to the children that we had brought with us, little toy cars for the boys and little stuffed animals for the girls. Once again, I was amazed at how capivated these kids got by the smallest things. After this our group got called to the back of the churchso we could go eat lunch, before leaving I ran upfront to say goodbye to the kids I had spent time with.
We then all made our way to a small detached building of the church where we were fed the best meal we´ve had here so far- a sort of mexican fried rice and chicken. A couple of us voiced our concerns and somewhat guilt that we were eating so well while being unsure of whether some of the children would get a hot meal when they got home. Cecilia, who grew up here(ecuador) but now lives in the U.S. assured us that it is just the hospitality here- that whenever there are visitors they always provide the best that they possibly can for the. After lunch we caught a bus back to Quito- but on our way to the bus stop we saw two of the three little girls standing in front of there house, they ran out to me and hugged my leg, I told them goodbye one more time and we were on our way. Once back in Quito we went to a supermarket so some of us could get some food to bring back to the US (yes Jo, I got your Inca Cola!). After we made our way back to the house and relaxed for the rest of the day.
Today we went to Dulce Refugio and distributed a lot of the clothing that we had brought down with us. It was a joy to hand out clothes to the kids. Some who needed it more than others. It´s acts like this that make you realize the excess of our lives in America. After this we went to the park where a lot of the kids already were, we then gave away candy to each kid. Which started off organized, then turned into the kids surrounding me begging for more. I eventually had to say no mas, no mas (no more) to the kids even though I still had some left. After that we were served our last meal at the church, because sadly, it was our last day of work while down here.
At first I was kind of disappointed at the fact that we were only going to be working for 4 days while down here. But upon giving all of the donations away, I was beyond content with what we accomplished. So much good will happen in the lives of these kids with the supplies that we were able to bring down with us.
Sorry for such a long post, I have to get going, the group is waiting!
With love,
Nick Martino
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Today we got to spend some time with the children which was such a blessing. I was with the younger group of kids.. First they had a Bible lesson and then after that we took them to the local park to play. Tried to upload pictures, but it wasn´t working. Will try again tomorrow!
Yesterday I said that the language barrier wasn´t too difficult... Well today proved the exact opposite, when I consistently failed to understand even the smallest child´s words to me. Actions speak so much louder than words so it isn´t too bad.
The hospitality here is so amazing. People truly put you before themselves, it is such a humbling feeling. Off to explore the city and visit a market!
In love,
Nick Martino
Yesterday I said that the language barrier wasn´t too difficult... Well today proved the exact opposite, when I consistently failed to understand even the smallest child´s words to me. Actions speak so much louder than words so it isn´t too bad.
The hospitality here is so amazing. People truly put you before themselves, it is such a humbling feeling. Off to explore the city and visit a market!
In love,
Nick Martino
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
We made it
After 2 flights and 12 long hours of traveling we made it to Quito. Upon arrival we made our way through customs which took around and hour and a half to two hours, while donning masks given to us on the plane incase of swine flu (that was for calvin and mike). After customs we loaded a truck with all of our luggage and in the midst of that we recieved our first glimpse of poverty. A young boy, no more than 6 or 7 years old approaches me with his dirt covered hands stretched out towards us asking us for money. What to do? We were told not to give money because it is often used to feed an addiction to coca-paste. So for a few moments I stood there feeling guilty and not sure of what to do- knowing I shouldn´t give him money, but not wanting to be passive. I realized that I had a bag of goldfish in my bag, so I gave them to him. I didn´t feel I did enough, but I didn´t know what else to do.
After that we got into the truck and went to the house we are staying at. The city at night is amazing, although rundown to various degrees. The city is a long strip wih both ends on mountains. The house we are staying at is on the south-end of the city, so our view is spectacular. I´ll get some pictures of it tonight.
Today we didn´t get to do too much. We were all feeling really tired from the long day of traveling and the high altitude was also playing with our bodies. So we slept in till about nine then made our way down to the church where some people played basketball and soccer with some of the kids. Still feeling short of breath from the high altitude I sat on the side and just watched and took pictures. We then made our way back to the church where the kids all got a snack and then went home around noon. Some ladies of the church prepared us lunch which was really good.
I´ve heard it said from almost every person who has gone on an overseas mission trip. But these people have so much less than us, yet they are so much happier than we are with what they have and they are so much more generous with what they do have. The children here are thrilled to play with a worn out basketball on hoops with no nets while Americans aren´t happy unless they have the latest video game, and even then- they´re still yearning for the next new thing.
The language barrier isn´t as bad as I had thought it would be. I´m remember a few more things than I thought I would, and many people here know atleast a little English. So communication, while difficult, is still possible.
I´m excited to see what the week holds and I hope that we get to do a lot of work in the next couple days. Along with touching the lives of people at the church- I hope and pray that in someways I can help people on the streets, even its as simple as buying them a soda...
In Christ,
Nick Martino
After that we got into the truck and went to the house we are staying at. The city at night is amazing, although rundown to various degrees. The city is a long strip wih both ends on mountains. The house we are staying at is on the south-end of the city, so our view is spectacular. I´ll get some pictures of it tonight.
Today we didn´t get to do too much. We were all feeling really tired from the long day of traveling and the high altitude was also playing with our bodies. So we slept in till about nine then made our way down to the church where some people played basketball and soccer with some of the kids. Still feeling short of breath from the high altitude I sat on the side and just watched and took pictures. We then made our way back to the church where the kids all got a snack and then went home around noon. Some ladies of the church prepared us lunch which was really good.
I´ve heard it said from almost every person who has gone on an overseas mission trip. But these people have so much less than us, yet they are so much happier than we are with what they have and they are so much more generous with what they do have. The children here are thrilled to play with a worn out basketball on hoops with no nets while Americans aren´t happy unless they have the latest video game, and even then- they´re still yearning for the next new thing.
The language barrier isn´t as bad as I had thought it would be. I´m remember a few more things than I thought I would, and many people here know atleast a little English. So communication, while difficult, is still possible.
I´m excited to see what the week holds and I hope that we get to do a lot of work in the next couple days. Along with touching the lives of people at the church- I hope and pray that in someways I can help people on the streets, even its as simple as buying them a soda...
In Christ,
Nick Martino
Thursday, July 16, 2009
First post.
I made this blog to help keep friends and family in the loop about what I am doing during all of the traveling I'll be doing this next year. My first trip is Monday, the 20th, to Quito, Ecuador. I'm going down with 7 or 8 other people, I forget, and we'll be there for a week. While we are there my team is going to be working at a Church/ School called Dulce Refugio (Sweet Refuge). Half the mission is working there and the other half is the delivery of supplies we are bringing down with us. Through the generous donations of many people in my church family I was able fill two suitcases with supplies and also have money left over to buy some more supplies while I am down there, God is good.
As this is my first out of country trip my feelings are all over the board. Firstly, I am extremely
excited to get out of the United States for a little bit and be immersed into the Ecuadorian culture. I'm also excited to see how God is working in the people or Ecuador and how he is going to work in me and through me during this trip. Aside from excitement, I'm nervous. I'm going to feel like a fish out of water in a Spanish speaking country. I know how to say Hello, how are you and not much else. To those who know me well know that I tend to be a safe person and to not step out onto limbs too often. Well, I'm going to be standing on the limb for 7 days straight, lets just hope I don't fall off. Lastly I'm scared, scared to see the poverty that is in this world that I've heard about it so many times before but have done nothing about. This is the first time I'll be plucked out of my safe middle class lifestyle and be set right into poverty. I don't know how I'll react.
The impoverished are the people that Jesus' heart bleeds for the most, and we read about it in The Bible so much, but we say, "Other people are helping" or "I have too much else on my plate" or "I don't have the extra money to help" and we plead ignorance saying we really don't know how bad it is-when in reality we do.
But I'm done. I'm done sitting on the sidelines while 12 children under the age of 5 die ever single minute from hunger related diseases. While we sit still getting fatter and fatter. It's time. It's time for us to be Jesus to the world. It's time we stop being self-serving and actually serve others. So while I'm scared to see the poverty, In a way I'm ready. Ready for God to start breaking me, molding me, pruning me and using me for his service in the process.
While I'm in Ecuador I hope to do a daily blog, so check back often! I would ask that you would pray for my team and I to have safety from the time we leave our homes for the airports to the time we get home and to also be the hands and feet of Christ while we are in Ecuador. Also, please pray that the people of Ecuador would have open minds towards God.
In Christ with love,
Nick Martino
As this is my first out of country trip my feelings are all over the board. Firstly, I am extremely
excited to get out of the United States for a little bit and be immersed into the Ecuadorian culture. I'm also excited to see how God is working in the people or Ecuador and how he is going to work in me and through me during this trip. Aside from excitement, I'm nervous. I'm going to feel like a fish out of water in a Spanish speaking country. I know how to say Hello, how are you and not much else. To those who know me well know that I tend to be a safe person and to not step out onto limbs too often. Well, I'm going to be standing on the limb for 7 days straight, lets just hope I don't fall off. Lastly I'm scared, scared to see the poverty that is in this world that I've heard about it so many times before but have done nothing about. This is the first time I'll be plucked out of my safe middle class lifestyle and be set right into poverty. I don't know how I'll react.
The impoverished are the people that Jesus' heart bleeds for the most, and we read about it in The Bible so much, but we say, "Other people are helping" or "I have too much else on my plate" or "I don't have the extra money to help" and we plead ignorance saying we really don't know how bad it is-when in reality we do.
But I'm done. I'm done sitting on the sidelines while 12 children under the age of 5 die ever single minute from hunger related diseases. While we sit still getting fatter and fatter. It's time. It's time for us to be Jesus to the world. It's time we stop being self-serving and actually serve others. So while I'm scared to see the poverty, In a way I'm ready. Ready for God to start breaking me, molding me, pruning me and using me for his service in the process.
While I'm in Ecuador I hope to do a daily blog, so check back often! I would ask that you would pray for my team and I to have safety from the time we leave our homes for the airports to the time we get home and to also be the hands and feet of Christ while we are in Ecuador. Also, please pray that the people of Ecuador would have open minds towards God.
In Christ with love,
Nick Martino
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